8 ways to keep clothes from attracting lint
How to reduce static cling in clothing (photo: Freepik)
Certain fabrics and weather conditions can exacerbate static cling, but it can occur at any time. When fabrics rub against each other or dry skin, they exchange electrons, and upon subsequent contact, each electron gains a positive or negative charge and attracts one another.
Real Simple website explains methods to reduce static cling in clothing.
Moisturize the room
Maintaining indoor humidity between 30-50% is beneficial for both your clothing and health. Lightly misting fabrics with water from a spray bottle can help reduce static cling.
Alternatively, you can pat the fabric with a damp cloth or paper towel, but make sure the fabric is dry before wearing it.
Use a metal hanger
Run a wire hanger or a piece of aluminum foil between garments that are sticking together to disperse the static charge holding them together.
Use hand lotion
Applying hand lotion to your skin can help break the bond of static electricity. To avoid stains, let the lotion dry before smoothing the fabric.
Apply hairspray
Hairspray ingredients coat the fabric fibers and help eliminate static electricity. Lightly mist the inside of your clothing, or if spraying the outside, hold the can 30-60 cm away to avoid excessive buildup.
Use anti-static spray
Anti-static sprays and wrinkle-reducing products neutralize electrical charges by increasing moisture-attracting molecules. These sprays work best when applied to the clothing and allowed to air dry before wearing.
Air-dry your clothes
Automatic dryers generate static electricity in clothing due to friction and the tendency to over-dry fabrics. Instead, it's recommended to air-dry clothes on a clothesline.
This method also helps humidify the room, reducing static electricity from carpets and upholstery.
Sort clothes by fabric type
Even if you sort your laundry before loading it into the washing machine, it's advised to sort it again before putting it in the dryer.
Synthetic fabrics, like nylon and polyester, retain electrical charges longer and generate more static electricity compared to natural fabrics like cotton or linen.
To reduce static, dry synthetic materials separately and remove them from the dryer while still slightly damp. Finish drying these items by air-drying.
Add white vinegar to the rinse cycle
Adding half a cup of distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle can also help reduce static cling.
Vinegar helps remove detergent residues and relaxes the fibers in the clothing, making them less likely to cling together during tumbling in the dryer or while being stored in the closet.
